adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
alterationsnounUS /ˌɔːltərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “alteration” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
apartadverbUS /əˈpɑːrt/
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But at length, indubitably, the night was there.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But at length, indubitably, the night was there.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
carefuladjectiveUS /ˈkerfəl/
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
cleanadjectiveUS /kliːn/
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
cloudsnounUS /klaʊdz/
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
CumberlandnounUS /ˈkʌmbərlənd/
English general; son of George II; fought unsuccessfully in the battle of Fontenoy (1721-1765)
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
drivenadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪvən/
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
FALLINGadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlɪŋ/
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
fragmentsnounUS /ˈfræɡmənts/
plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
fullyadverbUS /ˈfʊli/
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
gaugeverbUS /ɡeɪdʒ/
judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
gloomnounUS /ɡluːm/
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
greynessnoun
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
heavennounUS /ˈhevən/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
indubitablyadverb
in a manner or to a degree that could not be doubted
From this reading But at length, indubitably, the night was there.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading But at length, indubitably, the night was there.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
linesnounUS /laɪnz/
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Little by little the sky was overcast, and even the lines of the falling rain were no longer visible.
LittleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Little by little the sky was overcast, and even the lines of the falling rain were no longer visible.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading Little by little the sky was overcast, and even the lines of the falling rain were no longer visible.
moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
NIGHTnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Little by little the sky was overcast, and even the lines of the falling rain were no longer visible.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
overcastnounUS /ˈoʊvərkæst/
the state of the sky when it is covered by clouds
From this reading Little by little the sky was overcast, and even the lines of the falling rain were no longer visible.
rainnounUS /reɪn/
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Little by little the sky was overcast, and even the lines of the falling rain were no longer visible.
rain-beaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
RanchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
ranch-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
rollverbUS /roʊl/
move by turning over or rotating
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
settledadjectiveUS /ˈsetəld/
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
shoneverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
speakingnounUS /ˈspiːkɪŋ/
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
splitverbUS /splɪt/
separate into parts or portions
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
starsnounUS /stɑːrz/
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
swiftadjectiveUS /swɪft/
moving very fast
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
thickadjectiveUS /θɪk/
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
visibleadjectiveUS /ˈvɪzəbəl/
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Little by little the sky was overcast, and even the lines of the falling rain were no longer visible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
washedadjectiveUS /wɑːʃt/
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
watchersnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃərz/
plural of “watcher” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Little by little the sky was overcast, and even the lines of the falling rain were no longer visible.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE FALLING OF NIGHT It had been hard to gauge the falling of night on this day, and even the careful eyes of the watchers on the Cumberland Ranch could not tell when the greyness of the sky was being darkened by the coming of the evening.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading All day there had been swift alterations of light and shadow, comparatively speaking, as the clouds grew thin or thick before the wind.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Before the gloom of the darkness had fully settled over the earth, moreover, there came a change in the wind, and the watchers at the rain-beaten windows of the ranch-house saw the clouds roll apart and split into fragments that were driven from the face of the sky; and from the clean washed face of heaven the stars shone down bright and serene.
